MINUTES OF THE
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Regular Meeting of December 19, 2002
I certify that to the best of my ability to record and recall, these are the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Dukes County Health Council held on December 19, 2002.
Meeting began at 8:04 a.m.
Members Present:
*Ex Officio
Jo Ann Murphy Jacque Cage
Tad Crawford Sandra Lothrop
Marni Lipke Charles Silberstein
Sarah Kuh * Ned Robinson-Lynch
Kathy Logue Michele Lazerow (8:25 AM)
Carol Borer* Jane Cleare
Lorna Andrade Ilene Klein
Joyce Steward Kathleen Rose
Fred Rundlet Tim Walsh
Also Present: Marsha Smolev, Jane Dreeben, Dan Greenberg, Patricia Moore, Susan Desmarais, Liz DeCarlo, Cynthia Mitchell, Len Stewart, Tim Lineaweaver, MJ Binder Delekta, Nancy Gilfoy, Murray Frank, Steven Barnes.
Absent: Marguerite Bergstrom Dan Seklecki
Michelliny Faust Kathleen Fitzgibbon
Dennis Hoak Peter Strock
Melinda Loberg William Elbow
Cathy Brennan Chris Knowles
Robert Sawyer
Kathy Logue Moved that the Minutes of October 24, 2002 be Approved as written. Lorna Andrade Seconded the Motion. The Vote to Approve the Minutes was Unanimous.
Kathy Logue, Treasurer, reported that monies had been spent down by the end of the year and there would be a more extensive report in January. Tad Crawford noted that the move to QuickBooks would help in the management of separate grant funds. He reviewed the Health Council’s requests for Supplemental funds: $2,500 operating funds and $5,000 for the MV Health Report. Sarah Kuh had submitted a request for $3,575 to fund Carol Seale’s position for 6 months. Kathy Logue Moved that the Council support the three requests. Ilene Klein Seconded the Motion that passed Unanimously.
It was reported that Lorna Andrade was responsible for getting a donation of $1000 from the NAACP. Tad Crawford said the MV Health Report would cost about $50,000 locally, so donations were of vital importance.
A handout was distributed that summarized many aspects of the Health Council Retreat. Tad Crawford reminded Council members to fill out forms for the next appointment cycle and noted that the deadline for Health Council members was extended into January. It was decided to meet on January 16 and January 30. The Coordinating Committee will meet on January 7 and 21.
Len Stewart, Chair of the Lighthouse Alliance and also of Barnstable County Health and Human Services, presented an overview of the Lighthouse Alliance, including history, the focus as a pilot for the region and nation, and present projects.
Liz DiCarlo, Project Director, reviewed objectives of the Lighthouse, including the need to enroll people eligible for healthcare services and assist them in navigating the healthcare system. The goal was to ensure that all residents have acceptable and affordable healthcare services by eliminating barriers. She discussed the need to coordinate resources and develop cultural competency.
Tim Lineaweaver, Behavioral Health Regional Coordinator spoke about collaboration between area stakeholders and developing a Vineyard Task Force for Behavior Health that would include representatives in recovery, addicts, adolescents, providers, and parents. The Task Force would focus on Island needs and solutions. He is planning a conference for clinicians, parents and adolescents, which will focus on harm reduction.
Liz DiCarlo said as Primary Care Coordinator, she stressed strength in unity. Collaboration has raised consciousness.
Len Stewart reviewed the Technology Initiative noting that the CAP Grant was to develop infrastructure, not services. The Technology Initiative is designed to define a continuum of care, to describe needs of individual clients, to describe and build a structure to support needs, and better services for more people at less cost. The continuum is viewed as a circle, with the patient in the center and each wedge, another agency or support. The matrix of tools to build the collaborative is located on the Internet. The parts of the Technology Initiative are: Central repository of data and demographics, Eligibility screening, Resource locator, Referrals, Insurance, Client consent, Care coordination, Clinical data, and Reports.
Michele Lazerow asked how non-agency affiliated clinicians would fit in. Len Stewart said there would be a policy on memberships so individual clinicians could be included.
Kathy Logue voiced concerns about confidentiality and sharing data.
Marni Lipke Moved that the Health Council adopt a Task Force for Mental Health and Substance abuse. Lorna Andrade Seconded the Motion. The Motion Passed Unanimously and Marni Lipke was asked to Chair the Task Force until members could vote on a chairperson. Sarah Kuh asked Tim Lineaweaver if he was offering staff support. He said yes, he would be attending the meetings. Jane Cleare stressed the need for education about substance abuse and Mental Health. Ilene Klein said it was important to look at integrated needs of people, spiritual, primary care, etc. Fred Rundlet stressed the need to look at Prevention.
Cynthia Mitchell said it was a pleasure to be back at the Health Council and that she hoped the Health Council and Island Health Plan would reunite soon and work together. She gave an update on the Island Health Plan, stating launch date was scheduled for April 1, 2003. Targeted population would be below 400% Federal poverty level. Legislation had been filed for authorization to limit the Plan to 400% within the geographical region of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the Cape. The Division of Insurance has agreed to let the Island Health Plan partner with Neighborhood Health Plan. This would hopefully please physicians and meet their demands for the equivalent of 100% Medicare payments. The Island Health Plan has gained visibility nationwide.
The 10 member Board of the Island Health Plan is: Murray Frank, Else Membreno, Patty Begley, Art Bingham, Peter Oberfest, Pat Gregory, Robbin Rowland, Sarah Isenberg, Len Stewart, Charles Soule.
The Vineyard Access Program was awarded $15,000 from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation for expansion.
Tad Crawford thanked Tim Walsh for taking being on the Health Council and referred to the Board’s wonderful relationship with the Hospital.
Tad Crawford mentioned the need for the Health Council to have a connection with the Island Health Plan, possibly in an advisory capacity. He also told the Health Council that he would like to represent the Health Council on the Search Committee for the new County Manager. Fred Rundlet Moved that Tad Crawford represent the Health Council on the Search Committee for the new County Manager. Kathy Logue Seconded the Motion that passed Unanimously.
Kathy Rose proposed that the Data and Funding Committee be separated into two separate committees. She added that the Funding Committee needed representation at County Commission meetings so each Task Force could play a part in the budget process. Carol Borer reminded the Council that the County had a grant writer. Tad Crawford reported that the County has offered free space to the VHCAP at the New York Avenue property. County Engineer Steve Berlucchi was looking into the cost of necessary repairs. Fred Rundlet reported that the Tribal Council was voted into the Massachusetts Bioterrorism Committee. Video teleconferencing equipment will be one part of the award provided to the Tribal Council.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM.
| 
